Skip to main content

How do you fit in?



I watched the movie Perks of a Wallflower on Saturday night.  It was a haunting reminder of high school and how I didn't fit in.  It was sweet, honest and cut to the core of what happens when one feels alone.  Alone in a way that you are convinced that no other soul could possibly identify with.  And yet, it seems there must be so many of us that have felt that.  Especially back then.

What about adulthood?  What about when you have a mortgage and a career, even a spouse and children.  Are there times it is acceptable to feel like you don't fit in?

Whether it's acceptable or not, it  happens.  There are times when I'm sure I'm the only one who could possibly be feeling the way I do.  Left out.  Alone.  Hiding even.

And those are times of perseverance and tremendous growth.  They are times when I need to reach deep within and listen to my heart.  My gut even.  Although that works best for initial reactions.  I try to  find time each day to listen to the quiet.  To allow my heart to have a time to beat without judgement.

When I find peace within it becomes a lot less lonely on the outside.  I've learned to trust myself these days.  And yet sometimes it's a crap shoot.  I try new things, I invest time and energy in new people and all the while I could be setting myself up to fail.  And the alone part is that you have to do these things from yourself.

Take a chance.  Live for today.

And although I might not always fit in, I am more comfortable with who I am.  And that is a lot less lonely.  And who wants to all be alike anyway?  That would be so boring - at least that's what I tell my daughter.  And I need to believe it too.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

#BeBrave

I found myself in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable place this week.  It's taken me days to process what occurred, how I responded and how I'm choosing to move forward. In a professional environment, during an ordinary 3pm de-brief meeting I found myself being verbally attacked and disrespected by a bully.  I remained calm, spoke my mind carefully and respectfully.  It was surprising and over the next few days became increasingly unsettling. There were others in the room, and no one spoke to support me.  It has struck me as so odd, hurtful and profoundly unacceptable. Like any good drama episode written by Aaron Sorkin or JJ Abrams, let's rewind to 8 hours earlier. Once again browsing new selections in iTunes for my running mix.  I know, I get bored easily, huh?  I love how the music motivates me so I'm always on the lookout for new and upbeat songs.  I came across a feature for the new Sara Bareilles album streaming for free this weekend, so I b...
Post a Comment
Read more

Month of Miracles

photo credit:   http://marcestes.com/2011/02/11/miracles-the-need-for-the-hour/ In the tradition of continuing the commitment to writing each day, I am beginning the month of December as I have for many years…. with a passage from Simple Abundance about December. "December's gifts - custom, ceremony, celebration, consecration - come to us wrapped up, not in tissue and ribbons, but in cherished memories.  This is the month of miracles.  The oil that burns for eight days, the royal son born in a stable, the inexplicable return of Light on the longest, darkest night of the year.  Where there is Love, there are always miracles.  And where there are miracles, there is great joy. Gratefully, we weave the golden thread of .. joy in our tapestry of contentment.  At last we embrace the miracle of authenticity, changing forever how we view ourselves.  Our daily round.  Our dreams.  Our destinies.  Days we once called common, we now call hol...
Post a Comment
Read more

Be yourself

Sometimes things just hit me like out of the blue and I wonder why didn't I think of that sooner!?  And after the realization settles in I'm at such peace.  This has happened several times recently at work with all the lessons I've amassed over the last 8 months of a project that is coming to a close.  I honestly didn't realize that I learned so much, or that I was actually putting those lessons into action. I find that I evolve at an interesting rate.  Sometimes it feels as though nothing changes, and other times it's like I don't even remember how things used to be.  And all the while I've maintained that I just need to be myself.  Although I've changed over time through the lessons, the core of who I am remains the same. And that's a great feeling.  To not have to turn myself inside out to fit.  It not only allows me to be authentic, but feels so true deep inside.  I say what I mean, I mean what I say and I know how to say it as to...
Post a Comment
Read more